Inmate charged in Schenectady County jail keys theft that led to lockdown

SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady County jail inmate caught on camera last week taking a set of keys has now been charged, Sheriff Dominic Dagostino said Tuesday.

The Nov. 27 theft touched off a lockdown of the facility and complete search of jail cells and common areas. Officers found most of the keys hidden in a jail transport van, but one handcuff key remains missing, Dagostino said.

"But we are very comfortable that it's not in our facility," Dagostino said. "We did a thorough search of our facility."

The theft happened as corrections officers moved inmates from Schenectady City Court, where each had court appearances, back to the jail. During that process, Hoyt is accused of taking the keys.

Officers realized quickly that the keys had been taken, Dagostino has said, but not before Hoyt allegedly stashed the bulk of them in the jail transport van. Officers tore parts of the van apart the next day and found those keys behind some equipment in the van.

Asked if any officers will face discipline related to the incident, Dagostino said: "We're still investigating that end of it."

"Our investigation's not done," Dagostino said.

The jail remained on lockdown from Nov. 27 to the morning of Nov. 30. Jail lockdowns mean inmates are largely confined to their cells. No visiting is allowed and only a select few can enter or exit.

The searches included stopping the plumbing, Dagostino said.

Hoyt was originally arrested in October on felony witness intimidation, weapons possession and other charges, records show.

He is accused of offering money to a potential witness and intimidating the witness Oct. 14 to not testify to a grand jury. He then is accused of illegally possessing a .357 Magnum and a .40-caliber handgun three days later at his Rugby Road residence. He also allegedly possessed heroin there, according to court documents.